Visit Philadelphia® Recognized With Two Adrian Awards

VISIT PHILADELPHIA announced today that it won two Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards at a gala in New York City last night. This year’s recognitions bring VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s award count total to 45 since 2004.

In the LGBTQ PR category, VISIT PHILADELPHIA earned a Gold Award for its

Philadelphia Pioneers On The Road To Stonewall

campaign executed in partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund. The organization celebrated Pride Month and marked the 50th anniversary of the history-making Stonewall Riots that launched the LGBTQ civil rights movement by creating a float that carried LGBTQ pioneers on it in three large summer parades both in and out of market. The float was adorned with messages of equality, unity and welcome. VISIT PHILADELPHIA supplemented the public relations campaign with an advertising takeover of New York City’s Penn Station, complete with rainbow steps that bore the hashtag #IAmStonewall.

In the Community Service/Social Responsibility category, VISIT PHILADELPHIA earned a Silver Award for its

reopening of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall

during 2018’s partial government shutdown. VISIT PHILADELPHIA made a $32,000 non-refundable contribution to Independence National Historical Park to pay for three days of staff and operations, then spread the good news on the web—visitphilly.com, uwishunu.com and @visitphilly—and through robust media relations.

“Over the past 12 months, VISIT PHILADELPHIA has collaborated to develop innovative and meaningful marketing campaigns to attract visitors to our region,” said Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO, VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “I’m proud that prominent organizations like HSMAI are recognizing and rewarding our efforts.”

These two award-winning efforts have been widely acknowledged since their completion. The Stonewall campaign received a Pepperpot Award from the Philadelphia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the reopening of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall was recognized with the U.S. Travel Association’s (USTA) Destiny Award and PR Daily’s Media Relations Award.

HSMAI, the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth, received nearly 1,100 entries from travel companies, including big-brand hotel chains, major airlines, U.S. and international tourism boards, and marketing agencies. The Adrian Awards honor hospitality brands and agencies for their advertising, digital and public relations efforts to market destinations around the world.

“The Adrian Awards honor innovative travel marketing campaigns that lead the future of hospitality marketing, setting the standard for creativity and flawless execution,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “HSMAI is proud to recognize these award winners and celebrate their remarkable campaigns and the people behind them at the Adrian Awards Gala.”

VISIT PHILADELPHIA is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament May 17, 2020

Beautiful Weather Ushered In the 28

Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

The annual

Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

is held on the third Sunday in May at

Island Beach State Park

In 2020 the tournament will be held on Sunday, May 17.

A variety of species are eligible for entry in the tournament each year. Overall length determines the winner. All fish must meet minimum length tournament requirements. Tournament fishing hours are 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The individual who catches the overall largest fish wins the \”Governor\’s Award,\” and has his/her name engraved on the Governor\’s Cup, which is permanently displayed at the park. Fishing equipment is awarded to winners who catch the largest fish in each species category. Winners from the early entry drawing and the tournament must be present during the afternoon awards ceremony to claim their prizes or they will be forfeited.

Anglers planning to participate in the tournament should always register early: doing so entitles you to save on the adult registration fee, be eligible for special prizes and avoid delays when entering the park.

The 2020 early entry incentive ends April 24, 2020

. After this date, anglers are required to register at the tournament beginning at 5:00 a.m. at Pavilion #1.

Brochure and Registration Form

(pdf, 3.7mb)

HIGH SCHOOL TEAM CATEGORY

The High School Team Category is for high school aged students, who are part of a formal fishing club, members of a

Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs

group, or a non-formal group.

The tournament entry fee is waived for student teams, and admission to the park is free for registrants. For more information see the flyer linked below.

High School Team Flyer

(pdf, 900kb)

High School Team Registration Form

(pdf, 780kb)

The school team category is supported by the following organizations:

The Fisherman

The Reel Seat

Fish Hawks Saltwater Anglers Club

Shark River Surf Anglers

Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs New Jersey

All tournament anglers need to complete the

NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry

prior to the event.

Questions can be directed to 609-748-4347.

PAST TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Winners of the Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament, 1992-2019

(pdf, 65kb)

A Day of Family Fun At 27

Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

16 Year Old Wins Governor\’s Cup With 34\” Bluefish At 26th Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Bluefish Blitzes Liven 25th Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Hundreds Enjoy 24th Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Sunny Skies and Lots of Action at 23rd Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Anglers See Through Fog to Enjoy Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Anglers Enjoy Another Successful 2012 Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Beautiful Fall Day Greets Anglers at the 20th Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Anglers Brave High Winds and Rough Surf to Make 19th Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament a Success

Anglers Enjoy Family at the 2009 Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Anglers Enjoy Beautiful Weather at the 2008 Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Winners of 2007 Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament Announced

South Amboy Man Earns Top Honors at 2006 Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Anglers Enjoy Beautiful Weather at the 2005 Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

Anglers \”Sing the Blues\” at the 2004 Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament

2004 Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament Offers Great Fun for Families, Friends

(feature article)

DEP Commissioner and Governor Celebrate Surf Fishing at 2003 Tournament

11th Annual Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament Sunday Oct. 6, 2002

(feature article – includes complete winners list)

Governor\’s 11th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament a Reel Success

Governor\’s 10th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament a Success

Governor\’s 9th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament a Success

Governor\’s 8th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament a Success

Governor\’s 7th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament a Success

Governor\’s 6th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament a Success

The tournament is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection\’s Division of Fish and Wildlife and

Division of Parks and Forestry

, the

New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen\’s Clubs

Jersey Coast Anglers Association

, and the

New Jersey Beach Buggy Association

DHS Secretary Commends Partnership to Improve Health Outcomes in North Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

– Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today joined Project HOME, Independence Blue Cross, and AmeriHealth Caritas to announce the launch of Keystone Connection to Wellness, which will work to address health disparities and social determinants of health experienced by residents of North

Philadelphia.

“Our partners in the HEZ are doing incredible, necessary work to help work against the health disparities residents of North Philadelphia face every day, but we need to be able to scale and grow these efforts so more people can see a positive change and better health outcomes,” said Sec. Miller. “Project HOME’s partnership with Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth Caritas will make growing this work possible, and I am incredibly grateful that our Medicaid managed care organizations are investing in organizations like Project HOME to maximize our ability to make a positive change in the lives of people we serve.”

Project HOME is currently a partner in the Wolf Administration’s North Philadelphia’s Health Enterprise Zone (HEZ) initiative, which supports community health workers to address health disparities in North Philadelphia.

Keystone Connection to Wellness will allow Project HOME to grow its work to address social determinants of health through financial and operations support from Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth Caritas. A community advisory board will bring together local stakeholders to inform services and programs offered to address poverty, health outcomes, and life circumstances that influence these like food access, housing, access to behavioral health care, and employment, among others. Project HOME expects to serve approximately 1,250 people in Keystone Connection to Wellness’ first year.

In February 2019, the Wolf Administration awarded five grantees $3 million to support projects that would use community health workers to promote better health outcomes in the HEZ. This funding created innovative projects that will use community health workers to address health disparities in children, older adults, and those who are frequent users of medical services by increasing health promotion and education in the HEZ. In December 2019, the Wolf Administration

announced

Opens In A New Window

a one-year extension of this work to continue progress made in the projects’ first year. This funding will help Project HOME grow and build upon its work of addressing social determinants of health and promoting health equity and improved health outcomes in the North Philadelphia.

The HEZ is made up of the 19120-26, 19130, 19132-34, 19138, 19140-41, and 19144 ZIP codes in North Philadelphia, which run from the beginning of Broad Street through City Hall. It includes nearly 320,000 Medicaid recipients – nearly 13 percent of Pennsylvania’s total Medicaid population. Beneficiaries in zip codes around this corridor experience multiple health conditions and significant socio-economic barriers that result in high medical costs and utilization and chronic poor health. Thirty-one percent of residents living within the HEZ live below the federal poverty line, twice the national average, and the life expectancy of children in the HEZ is 20 years shorter compared to children in wealthier ZIP codes.

The projects include:

Education Plus Health

: improving child and adolescent health outcomes through the School-Based Health Center Community Health Worker project, which integrates community health workers into each school-based health center team to screen students and identify concerns related to asthma, diabetes, mental health, substance use, food insecurity and healthy weight, and multi-generational health needs. Education Plus Health community health workers have helped address and improve student health outcomes.

Bebashi- Transition to Hope

: mitigating the symptoms of multigenerational poverty by addressing food insecurity through physically expanding Second Helping, an emergency food pantry, establishing food pantries in schools, and working to increase access to quality health care and assistance programs through one-to-one resource navigation with direct linkages and referrals for HEZ residents. Bebashi has served 3,600 people through their food pantry.

Project HOME

: addressing diabetes and managing growing health care spending through the Healthy Communities Program, which trains peer community health workers to recruit participants from the HEZ with diabetes or pre-diabetes. The initiative uses an evidence-based healthy lifestyle program focusing on nutrition, physical activity, healthy food access, and motivational supports and will connect participants to integrated health and wellness resources.

Health Federation of Philadelphia

: strengthening programs at organizations throughout the HEZ by training community health workers and peer support workers to build sustainable capacity and promote organizational development. They are focusing on addressing diabetes and prediabetes through the implementation of a diabetes prevention program, while also addressing behavioral and mental health and substance use disorders. In addition, they are implementing a cloud-based platform for comprehensive social service referrals.

New

Kensington Community Development Corporation

: addressing social determinants of health by hiring community health workers who are residents of the HEZ and utilizing trauma-informed training to assist as they screen clients and connect them to resources for health care, food resources, credit and budget counseling, and other social service resources.

Since the creation of the HEZ in 2016, DHS and grantees have sought to improve social indicators of health for residents of North Philadelphia and are making progress on this work. DHS has previously funded trauma-informed practices among teachers, staff, parents, and community members and has increased funding for lead remediation projects in schools within the HEZ. In October DHS

announced

Opens In A New Window

$4.3 million in funding for additional services, including support for SNAP 50/50 programs aimed at moving people out of poverty, home visiting services, and services related to eviction prevention and affordable housing.

Homeland Security Report on Neo-Nazi Organization The Base; Leader Richard Tobin Lived in Brooklawn, NJ

CNBNews. net

Counterterrorism

Domestic

In 2020, the neo-Nazi organization, The Base, will likely attempt to recruit new members in the region, rely on members with military expertise and training, and use intimidation tactics to terrorize its victims and spread its white supremacist ideology.

The Base formed in 2018 as an organization that seeks to defend the European race while establishing a network of supporters willing to use violence to overthrow the current social and political order for a perceived impending race war.

In June, an unidentified subject(s) posted The Base propaganda in the vicinity of Princeton University (Mercer County), making this the group’s first known recruitment effort in New Jersey. One piece of propaganda said, “Save Your Race, Join The Base,” and another depicted two men with their faces concealed, holding a flag with the group’s logo while giving the “Heil Hitler” salute.

In January, law enforcement arrested six members of The Base who conducted various types of military and weapons training. In the days leading up to a gun rights rally they planned to attend on January 20, Brian Lemley, William Bilbrough, and Canadian national Patrik Mathews were charged with numerous firearms offenses. Lemley, who was a Cavalry Scout in the US Army, and Mathews, who served as a combat engineer in the Canadian Army Reserve, allegedly built an assault rifle and purchased approximately 1,650 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, authorities charged Luke Lane, Michael Helterbrand, and Jacob Kaderli with conspiracy to murder two Antifa members after participating in a paramilitary training camp in Silver Creek, Georgia.

In January, authorities arrested Yousef Barasneh for spray-painting swastikas and anti-Semitic words on a synagogue in Racine, Wisconsin, in September. Barasneh is also accused of plotting other acts of vandalism against minorities. Law enforcement asserted that Barasneh’s vandalism was directed

by Richard Tobin of Brooklawn (Camden County)

. Authorities arrested Tobin in November for instructing The Base members to vandalize synagogues in Wisconsin and Michigan. Authorities said Tobin called the plan “Operation Kristallnacht,” a reference to when the Nazis destroyed synagogues in Germany in 1938.

published

Gloucestercitynews.net

Alleged White Supremacist from Brooklawn Charged with Wanting to Kill Blacks, Jews, and Gays

White Supremacist a Fireman;

New Jersey American Water Invested More Than $375 Million Statewide in 2019

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. (January 29, 2020)

–

New Jersey American Water

recently announced its end-of-year investment total and system improvements for 2019. More than $375 million total was invested on system upgrades and various improvement projects statewide throughout the year.

“At New Jersey American Water, our goal is to provide safe, reliable water service to all of our customers,” said Cheryl Norton, president of New Jersey American Water. “From source to tap, our team of professionals continuously monitor and work hard to maintain our facilities to ensure they operate efficiently, meet all regulatory standards and deliver the best quality water. Investment now helps sustain our current operations while ensuring resiliency for the future – all to benefit our customers.”

Each year, New Jersey American Water invests millions of dollars in its infrastructure, which includes both maintenance and upgrades to its treatment and distribution (pipeline). This includes regular maintenance and upgrades to treatment plants, tanks, pump stations, miles of pipe, water mains, fire hydrants and metering equipment.

For 2019, system improvement highlights include:

Mains

: In 2019, New Jersey American Water invested $114 million in more than 100 miles of main to replace and rehabilitate aging pipe and install new main in order to serve additional areas. Additionally, New Jersey American Water invested more than $4.8 million in leak detection equipment in 2019 to further enhance its teams’ ability to respond to leaks and breaks.

Source Water, Treatment and Other Production System Improvements

: New Jersey American Water invested more than $51.2 million for improvements to its water treatment facilities across the state in 2019. Those facilities and projects include:

Raritan Millstone Water Treatment Plant – emergency generator and low-lift improvements

Swimming River Water Treatment Plant – second clearwell

South Linwood Station – treatment improvements

Delran Regional Water Treatment Plant – roof replacement

Beckett Station – treatment upgrades

Various facilities around the state – automation and control system upgrades.

Fire Hydrants

: In 2019, New Jersey American Water replaced 948 fire hydrants and 1,098 valves across the state, an approximately $22.4 million investment.

Service Lines

: In 2019, New Jersey American Water replaced 12,007 service lines, an investment totaling approximately $41.3 million.

Tanks/Storage

: In 2019, New Jersey American Water rehabilitated six water tanks and conducted detailed inspections on 15 tanks, an investment totaling approximately $4.9 million.

Visit

www.newjerseyamwater.com

to learn more about New Jersey American Water’s multimillion dollar program to accelerate the renewal of water infrastructure that is reaching the end of its useful life in more than 100 communities across the state and to use the infrastructure upgrade map located under Water Quality,

System Updates

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.7 million people. For more information, visit

www.newjerseyamwater.com

and follow New Jersey American Water on

Twitter

and

Facebook

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit

amwater.com

and follow American Water on

Twitter

Facebook

and

Apply Now for Spring Turkey Hunt Permit

Wild Turkey in New Jersey

The Turkey Hunting Booklet has been discontinued.

Spring 2020 season information

is found in the

2019-20 Hunting Digest

on pages 14 and 58-61 and below:

Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information 2019-2020

(pdf, 475kb)

Spring Turkey Permit Application Information

Apply NOW!

Changes to Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge Hunt Program

Spring 2019 Turkey Season Harvest Data

The Division\’s Turkey Restoration Project represents one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in the history of the state. By the mid-1800s, turkeys had disappeared in New Jersey due to habitat changes and killing for food. Division biologists, in cooperation with the

NJ Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation

, reintroduced wild turkeys in 1977 with the release of 22 birds. In 1979 biologists and technicians began to live-trap and re-locate birds to establish populations throughout the state. By 1981 the population was able to support a spring hunting season, and in December, 1997, a limited fall season was initiated.

There is now an abundance of wild turkeys throughout the state with turkeys found wherever there is suitable habitat. In South Jersey, where wild turkeys had been struggling just a few years ago, intensive restoration efforts have improved population numbers significantly. The statewide population is now estimated at 20,000 – 23,000 turkeys with an annual harvest of approximately 3,000 birds.

Youth turkey hunters

aged 10 to 16 with a

Youth License

can obtain a \”Y\” permit which allows them to hunt in any hunting period in the zone that they obtain a permit for during the spring season. Youth hunters aged 10 to less than 14 must be under the supervision of a licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age. The adult does not have to have a turkey permit, but they do have to have a regular license. This regulation applies until the youth takes a turkey. After taking a turkey, the youth is subject to the same hunting period and zone restrictions as an adult. There is also the special statewide

Youth Turkey Hunting Day

each year.

Spring turkey permits are awarded via a

lottery

followed by over-the-counter sales; the lottery application period is January 25-February 22. There is no lottery for the fall season.

REGULATIONS/PERMIT INFORMATION

2018-2019 Wild Turkey Hunting Season Regulations and Information

(pdf, 190kb)

Turkey Hunting Area Map

Spring 2019 Lottery Quota Information

(pdf, 85kb)

Turkey Hunting Area Boundary Descriptions

(pdf, 100kb)

Turkey Permit Information

Turkey Check Stations

(pdf, 110kb)

HARVEST/POPULATION DATA

Wild Turkey Harvests and Population Estimates, 1981 – 2019

2004-2019 Spring Gobbler Season Harvest Data

Public Turkey Hunting Land

(pdf, 280kb)

Primary Turkey Range and Public Land in NJ

Turkey Hunting Tips and Basic Information for the Turkey Hunter

Principal Foods for Wild Turkeys

Turkey Patterning Target

(pdf, 50kb)

ADDITIONAL LINKS

Wildlife Technician Joe Garris Honored

(NWTF news release, 2/21/09)

NJ Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation

Hunting Regulations

Small Game Information

Hunter Education

Farmer Information

Wildlife Management Areas

Forms

Feature Articles

James W. Dunlap of Philadelphia, Charged with Attempted Murder Inside a Woodlynne Home

Camden City, N.J. — 52-year-old James W. Dunlap of Philadelphia, was arrested Jan. 28 on charges of attempted murder, burglary, aggravated assault, and related weapons offenses stemming from a Jan.

23 stabbing inside a Woodlynne home, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Woodlynne Public Safety Director Ed Figueroa.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, a 64-year-old man was taken to Cooper Medical Hospital with multiple stab wounds to the upper body shortly before 11 p.m., according to detectives. A witness told investigators Dunlap forcefully entered a Woodlynne home before allegedly stabbing the victim and assaulting another individual inside the home.

Dunlap was apprehended by members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force – Camden Division in Logan Township. He was remanded to the Camden County Jail pending a pretrial detention hearing.

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Philadelphia Calendar Of Events for February

The Philadelphia Auto Show

Through February 8, 2020

BEETHOVENNOW.

The Philadelphia Orchestra marks Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday with pianists Yefim Bronfman, Daniil Trifonov and Emanuel Ax performing all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos at the

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

(215) 893-1900,

philorch.org

Philadelphia Auto Show, February 8-17, 2020

— Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

Through February 23, 2020

THE ROTHMAN ORTHOPAEDICS ICE RINK AND CABIN AND WINTERGARDEN.

The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Skating Rink, the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin and Wintergarden finish their seasonal run at

Dilworth Park,

City Hall’s front yard. (215) 440-5500,

centercityphila.org

Through February 29, 2020

BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

Major attractions across the city—including

The African American Museum in Philadelphia,

the

National Constitution Center,

the

Free Library of Philadelphia

and more—celebrate the month throughout February with events and special programming.

visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/black-history-month-in-philadelphia

February 1, 2020

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR.

One of the oldest and largest single-day events for African American children’s books in the country, the 28th annual African American Children’s Book Fair at the

Community College of Philadelphia

features nationally known and bestselling authors and illustrators, representatives from the multicultural literary community, enriching children’s books, and activities that promote the power and joy of reading.

theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org

February 1–16, 2020

GETAWAY AT THE GREENHOUSE.

Fairmount Park Horticultural Center

celebrates summer in winter, setting up a giant sandbox, live music, food trucks and

Gaia, The Traveling Artwork

, British artist Luke Jerram’s spectacular giant globe of the Earth featuring detailed NASA photography. (215) 685-0096,

myphillypark.org

my-earth.org

February 1 – June 7, 2020

VOTES FOR WOMEN: A VISUAL HISTORY.

The

Brandywine Museum of Art

commemorates the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote using drawings, illustrations and posters expressing the message of the suffragists, as well as costumes, clothing, sashes and emblems worn by the women activists. (610) 388-2700,

brandywine.org

February 1 – June 14, 2020

WITNESS TO HISTORY: SELMA PHOTOGRAPHY OF STEPHEN SOMERSTEIN.

This exhibit on display at the

Brandywine Museum of Art

documents the historic 54-mile march for civil rights from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. (610) 388-2700,

brandywine.org

February 4 – March 27, 2020

FOURTEEN: A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE.

The

National Constitution Center

sheds light on the Reconstruction era and ratification of the 14th Amendment in a 35-minute performance featuring dramatic interpretation of original texts, including Frederick Douglass’s open letter “To My Old Master.” (215) 409-6700,

constitutioncenter.org

February 6–9, 2020

GREY ROCK.

A fantastical new work from director and playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi bridges American and Palestinian cultures and makes its Philadelphia debut with a five-person cast from Palestine, including acclaimed actor Khalifa Natour, at

SEI Innovation Studio

at the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus.

kimmelcenter.org

February 6–16, 2020

PHILLY THEATRE WEEK.

A 10-day regional theatrical festival promises 100 events, including panels, concerts, meet-ups and loads of live theater. (267) 761-9950,

theatrephiladelphia.org

February 7 & 8, 2020

BLUE HEAVEN COMEDY FESTIVAL.

FringeArts presents their second-annual alt-comedy fest. (215) 413-9006,

fringearts.com

February 7–9, 2020

NICK JR. LIVE! MOVE TO THE MUSIC.

Friends from

Bubble Guppies

Paw Patrol

Dora the Explorer

Shimmer and Shine

Blue’s Clues and You

Blaze and the Monster Machines

, and

Top Wing

lead a singing-and-dancing adventure at the

Academy of Music.

(215) 893-1999,

kimmelcenter.org

February 8, 2020

JOURNEYS.

Acting Without Boundaries (AWB), a Philadelphia-based theater workshop for kids, teens and young adults with physical disabilities, takes part in Philly Theatre Week (see above) by performing a songs and scenes from some of Broadway’s greatest hits in the

Rendell Room of the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus.

kimmelcenter.org

February 8–17, 2020

PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW.

The automotive industry’s latest creations are on a 750,000-square-foot display at the

Pennsylvania Convention Center,

the showplace for more than 700 pre-production, classic, luxury and exotic cars.

phillyautoshow.com

February 13–16, 2020

SHARE THE LOVE WEEKEND.

Bucks County’s

Peddler’s Village

offers a Valentine’s weekend shopping sales event, restaurant specials and

Murder at the Moulin

dinner shows. (215) 794-4000,

peddlersvillage.com

February 14–16, 2020

ARETHA: RESPECT.

To honor the Queen of Soul, The Philly POPS features Broadway powerhouse Capathia Jenkins and R&B singer Ryan Shaw in a program that includes renditions of

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Respect

and

Chain of Fools

. (215) 893-1999,

phillypops.org

February 15, 2020

AFRICAN AND DIASPORIC CULTURES CELEBRATION.

The Penn Museum’s second CultureFest of the year reunites traditional and contemporary African and African Diasporic arts through mask-making, drumming and more live music, storytelling, film screenings and an African marketplace. (215) 898-4000,

penn.museum

February 15 – September 20, 2020

SURVIVAL OF THE SLOWEST.

Survival strategies of sloths, iguanas and pancake tortoises, among other animals that are slow and small, are explored in this exhibit at the

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

(215) 299-1000,

ansp.org

February 16, 2019

MUMMENSCHANZ: YOU & ME

. The mesmerizing Swiss theatrical troupe performs their brand-new show at the

Annenberg Center

creating shapes, forms, sounds and stories that delight audiences of every age. (215) 898-3900,

annenbergcenter.org

February 19 – March 1, 2020

HELLO, DOLLY!

Matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi and the rest of the characters from the musical-comedy classic make their way to the

Academy of Music

as part of the Broadway Philadelphia series. (215) 893-1999,

kimmelcenter.org

February 21 – March 14, 2020

#GLASSFEST.

This three-week festival presented by the

Annenberg Center

celebrates Philip Glass’ career and includes the Philadelphia premiere of the composer’s

Music in Twelve Parts

and the world premiere of

The White Lama

, a theatrical piece by Nikki Appino that features a score by Glass. (215) 898-3900,

annenbergcenter.org

February 23

–

May 10, 2020

MARIE CUTTOLI: THE MODERN THREAD FROM MIRÓ TO MAN RAY.

Cuttoli, a modern art pioneer, commissioned international modernist artists to design pieces that were woven into tapestries, as seen in this

Barnes Foundation

exhibit. (215) 278-7200,

barnesfoundation.org

February 24 – March 6, 2020

EAST PASSYUNK RESTAURANT WEEK.

Three-course prix fixe lunches and dinners are available (tax, alcohol and gratuity not included) at various restaurants in the South Philly neighborhood.

eastpassyunkrestaurantweek.com

February 26 & 27, March 18 & 19, 2020

DANCE UP CLOSE.

A three-part, midweek, midwinter dance festival that began with

Junkspace

with Tori Lawrence at

Christ Church Neighborhood

House

in January continues with

Boundaries & Other Works

and

Nest

, at

Christ Church Neighborhood House

in February, and wraps

Reassembling Corporeal Knowledge

, featuring short videos, live solos and duets at

FringeArts

in March.

philadelphiadance.org

February 26–29, 2020

TURN.

Philadelphia performance artist M’Balia Singley world premieres a work that delves into themes from Shakespeare’s

Othello

through the lens of an African American woman at the

SEI Innovation Studio

at the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus.

kimmelcenter.org

February 28 – April 26, 2020

WARREN MULLER: ON AND OFF THE WALL.

Philadelphia artist Warren Muller shares his illuminated sculptures inspired by the people and the city he calls home at

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

. (215) 733-0390,

phillymagicgardens.org

February 29 – March 8, 2020

PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW.

The annual gardening celebration at the

Pennsylvania Convention Center

is the oldest and largest indoor show of its kind, with top-of-the-line horticulture and landscape design, entertainment and more than 100 vendors. This year’s theme: “Riviera Holiday.” (215) 988-8800,

theflowershow.com

NJ’s LGBTQ Laws Rated in Human Rights Campaign’s State Equality Index

An estimated 8 million LGBTQ Americans, their friends and families remain at risk of discrimination if they live in one of the 30 states without adequate protections.

WASHINGTON —

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and the Equality Federation Institute released their 5th annual

State Equality Index

(SEI), a comprehensive report detailing statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ people and their families, and assessing how well states are protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination.

New Jersey

falls into the category,

“Working Toward Innovative Equality.”

“As LGBTQ people continue to face an onslaught of attacks from the federal administration in Washington, the Human Rights Campaign’s 2019 State Equality Index (SEI) documents how states were instrumental in advancing equality through pro-LGBTQ legislation, policies and proposals,” said

HRC President Alphonso David

. “In the absence of federal non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community, states must put policies in place to ensure equality for their residents, workers and visitors. In 2020 and beyond, the Human Rights Campaign will continue to work with our partners to defeat anti-LGBTQ legislation in the states and secure new protections for our community, both at the state and federal level. Already, we see the promise of even more protections passing state legislatures in 2020, including action taken in Virginia advancing the

Virginia Values Act

.”

Due to the lack of explicit, comprehensive civil rights protections for LGBTQ people at the federal level, the rights of millions of LGBTQ people and their families vary depending on which state they live in. In 30 states, LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services because of who they are. These top-rated states and Washington, D.C., have robust LGBTQ non-discrimination laws covering employment, housing and public accommodations.

The SEI’s assessment of statewide LGBTQ-related legislation and policies in the areas of parenting laws and policies, religious refusal and relationship recognition laws, non-discrimination laws and policies, hate crime and criminal justice laws, youth-related laws and policies and health and safety laws and policies has placed each state in one of four distinct categories:

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia are in the highest-rated category, “Working Toward Innovative Equality”:

California, Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; District of Columbia; Illinois; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Minnesota; Nevada; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; and Washington

Three states are in the category “Solidifying Equality”:

Hawaii; Iowa; and New Hampshire

Two states are in the category “Building Equality”:

Utah and Wisconsin

Twenty-Eight states are in the lowest-rated category “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality”:

Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; Florida; Georgia; Idaho; Indiana; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Michigan; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia; West Virginia; and Wyoming

“The State Equality Index highlights how far we have come in the fight for LGBTQ equality in each state. For years, we’ve been working with our member organizations to pave the way for nationwide protections by winning state and municipal laws that make discrimination illegal. We’re keeping that momentum going. We have big plans for a future where we can thrive in all the places we call home,” said

Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of the Equality Federation

. “This year, we will work with members on a host of issues, including non-discrimination legislation in places like Virginia and Ohio. Together, we are impacting the lives of millions of LGBTQ Americans. We can, and we will win this fight.”

Last year, the pro-equality majority in the U.S. House of Representatives passed the

Equality Act

, a bill to establish comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people. But as HRC and other civil rights organizations work toward establishing these critical federal protections, accelerating progress at the state level is critical.

This SEI report comes as 38 state legislatures and the District of Columbia have opened their sessions — and with several good bills introduced, including the Virginia Values Act, a bill that would modernize Virginia\’s existing human rights laws and provide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in public employment and housing. In New Jersey, the governor has signed a bill to ban anti-LGBTQ “panic defenses.”

Unfortunately, we have also seen the introduction and passage of bad legislation, including

a Tennessee bill

that would allow child welfare organizations — including taxpayer-funded adoption and foster care agencies — to turn away qualified Tennesseans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection. In

South Dakota

, the state House of Representatives passed a bill that effectively bars instructors who teach grades K-7 in the state’s public schools from instructing students on gender identity or gender expression.

Advancing LGBTQ non-discrimination protections at the state and federal level is supported by a wide swath of Americans. A recent PRRI survey found that 71 percent of Americans support LGBTQ non-discrimination laws like the Equality Act. A map of this patchwork of laws can be found

here

HRC’s full State Equality Index report, including detailed scorecards for every states, and a preview of the 2020 state legislative session is available online at

www.hrc.org/sei

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America\’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Democratic Candidate Running Against Van Drew Upset with Trash Left From Trump Rally

STATEMENT FROM BRIGID HARRISON REGARDING THE TRUMP/VAN DREW RALLY CLEAN-UP EFFORTS

[January 30, 2020 – Longport, New Jersey] – This morning,

The Cherry Hill Courier-Post published an extensive news story

detailing the enormous clean-up efforts and expense the Wildwood/Cape May community has been forced to address after Tuesday night\’s Trump/Van Drew political rally.

The following is a statement from Brigid Callahan Harrison, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey\’s second congressional district:

\”When Jeff Van Drew first chose to obstruct Congress\’s rightful authority to investigate very serious allegations against Donald Trump, he assisted in the withholding of crucial information related to the 2020 election and chose to help Trump get away with a crime.

\”When Jeff Van Drew negotiated his backroom deal with Trump and switch parties, he chose to take the Trump campaign money and to put his self-interest ahead of the people of the 2nd district.

\”But what is most telling is that during that moment, when Trump asked Van Drew what he wanted in return, he had only one answer – he wanted his very own political rally.

\”Van Drew did not ask Trump to help our community on issues that matter, like Health Care, Infrastructure, and Student Loans, instead the trade-off continued to be about Jeff Van Drew\’s interests, not the people of our district.

\”The result is that we now have a new Trump pawn in Congress and a huge, costly mess in Wildwood to clean up. Thousands of people from outside the district came to Wildwood on Tuesday, which has clearly resulted in labor and costs for Wildwood, Cape May, and the 2nd District, and once again, we see Van Drew self-interest taking the top priority.

\”It is Van Drew\’s obligation to clean up his own mess, both in Wildwood and in Washington.

\”With the dust now settling after Tuesday night, it is clear we have work to do. We have immediate work to do with the clean-up in Wildwood, and we must all come together to vote Jeff Van Drew out of office. Van Drew chose to violate the trust of those who voted for him, including me. He has ignored the voices of New Jersey\’s second congressional district, the progressives, moderates, and independents who united to get him elected. And it is clear, he cares only about himself.

\”Jeff Van Drew has made his choices, and on November 3, 2020, we will make ours,\”